First, don't drop anything into the dizzy hole, like I did.
For your first start, rotate almost to TDC #1 by checking the #1 valves with that valve cover off. To do that, roll it through the cycle with a breaker bar on the crank until you see #1 exhaust valve open and close, and then the intake valve open and begin to close. If you want to set it at, say 18 initial, then line up the timing mark on the damper 18 degrees before you get to TDC. Now remove the distributor and prime the
oil pump so you are sure you have pressure. Put the distributor back in, and mark the base of the distributor at the center of the #1 plug. Take the cap off and rotate the distributor so the rotor is centered on the mark you just made. Now you should be at 18 BTDC on #1. Fire it and it should start right up. If you get any backfiring, you are retarded, so to speak. Rev it until all the timing is in and set total timing, say to 36 degrees. Your total timing is important. Initial timing, not so much.